This teaching module is aimed at providing a basic understanding of polymer matrix fiber reinforced composites, terminology and basic types of fibers and matrices used, advantages, applications, manufacturing techniques, sandwich, ceramic and metal matrix composites. The module is currently designed to serve the needs of senior undergraduate or fresh graduate students, entering the area of composites. The most important of non-metallic materials are fiber composites which since their introduction have had a major impact on structures in a variety of applications including commercial and defence industries. The reason for this is that most composites offer significantly high advantages in terms of specific strength (strength - to -weight ratio) and specific stiffness (stiffness - to- weight) ratio. The other major advantage of composites is their ability to provide tailorability and directional properties.

This work has been supported by the National Science Foundation Grant DMI-9413089 under the interagency Technology Reinvestment Project (TRP)

Comments or suggestions to